Hummingbird 2.0

After some research, I quickly discovered using the flash to take hummingbird pictures requires a short burst of light (1/5000 - 1/15000 of a second) to freeze the wings and minimize ghosting. Setting my flash to Manual mode, I reduced the power to 1/8. I'd have preferred to go to 1/16, but it was too late in the evening. The Ruby-Throated Hummingbird is brave, so I moved to the outside of the house - about 8-10 feet away from the feeder. These photographs are looking much better than the first try. Many of the sites recommend multiple flashes, that is an experiment for another day.

Ruby-Throated Hummingbird Nikon D7000 ISO 800 300mm f/8.0 1/320 sec

Ruby-Throated Hummingbird Nikon D7000 ISO 400 500mm f/6.3 1/320 sec

Last shot before bedtime.

Moon ISO 100 600mm f/11 1/250 sec

Apparently Its a Rare Little Bird

This morning I was surrounded by over $50,000 in camera equipment as three other photographers from as far away as Indianapolis invaded my quiet Spring Valley Wildlife Area - all trying to get the perfect shot of the Virginia Rail and Sora. Getting the opportunity to shoot these birds in such a friendly environment is apparently more rare than anyone would have guessed. Being five minutes from my house, I'd have never guessed (only suffered minor fits of gear inadequacy). A bit crowded for my taste. But as it turned out, a bright sunny morning - great for getting a few more great pictures for the portfolio. The results - made me very glad the results I get with a fraction of the investment of those other guys. 

Virginia Rail Nikon D7000 ISO 450 600mm f/6.3 1/1000 sec

Virginia Rail Nikon D7000 ISO 400 600mm f/6.3 1/1000 sec

Sora Nikon D7000 ISO 400 600mm f/7.1 1/800 sec

Virgina Rail Nikon D7000 ISO 400 600mm f/6.3 1/1000 sec

Male Red-Winged Blackbird Nikon D7000 ISO 800 600mm f/7.1 1/640 sec


 

The Hummingbird Challenge

Here we go - the Hummingbird Challenge. New lens, first time flash, and the Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds have just returned to our feeders. Should have everything it takes to capture a good hummingbird-in-flight photograph. Now I just need some good light and lots of practice.

Ruby-Throated Hummingbird Nikon D7000 ISO 400 600mm f/7.1 1/400 sec

Feeling Sora (and Virginia Rail)

The weather forecast for this morning was rain. Thank you for being wrong. Slightly cloudy, but the sun was peaking out and the boardwalk at Spring Valley Wildlife Area was free of other birders. Yesterday's shoots were all under exposed, so today I consciously lowered my shutter speed. The result - more out of focus shots, but less work in Lightroom on the good images. 

Sora Nikon D7000 ISO 400 600mm f/8.0 1/400 sec

Virginia Rail Nikon D7000 ISO 720 600mm f/6.3 1/250 sec

Virginia Rail Nikon D7000 ISO 400 600mm f/6.3 1/200 sec

Lunch was a bit of a bust at Hills and Dales Park, but did get the 'obligatory' Robin photograph. For some great 'obligatory' robin photographs - visit fellow photographer Jeremy Mudd's Flickr page.

 

American Robin Nikon D7000 ISO 400 550mm f/8.0 1/640 sec

Another Great Morning

New species today - first chance to see and shoot the Virginia Rail. Small, skittish water bird. Love the long toes. 

Virginia Rail Nikon D7000 ISO 400 600mm f/10 1/800 sec

Virginia Rail Nikon D7000 ISO 400 600mm f/10 1/800 sec

Sora Nikon D7000 ISO 800 600mm f/10 1/800 sec

Sora Nikon D7000 ISO 800 600mm f/10 1/800 sec

Black and Blue

Couple quick shots this evening - the Eastern Blue Bird appears to be sticking around. Hope to make him a house this weekend. Great example of a male Cowbird showing off and calling out for a mate. 

Eastern Bluebird Nikon D7000 ISO 250 600mm f/10 1/250

Brown-Headed Cowbird Nikon D7000 ISO 500 600mm f/10 1/250 sec

Calling Brown-Headed Cowbird Nikon D7000 ISO 800 550mm f/10 1/250 sec

Tufted titmouse at Hills and Dales park earlier in the day - so close I couldn't fit it in the frame.

Tufted Titmouse Nikon D7000 ISO 800 600mm f/8.0 1/1250

End to a another great photography day...

Waxing Moon Nikon D7000 ISO 100 600mm f/10 1/400 sec

Can You Say Prothonotary?

No - I still can't pronounce that word. But, I can apparently find the Prothonotary Warbler by the banks of the Spring Valley Wildlife Area. 

Prothonotary Warbler with Gnat Nikon D7000 ISO 800 600mm f/6.3 1/1000

Prothonotary Warbler Nikon D7000 ISO 500 600mm f/6.3 1/1000

Red-Winged Blackbird Nikon D7000 ISO 720 600mm f/6.3 1/1000

Great Blue Heron Nikon D7000 ISO 100 600mm f/7.1 1/1250 sec

Big Morning at Spring Valley Wildlife Area

Wow - what a morning. Bright sunny skies, crisp air and great photography. The migratory birds are numerous and close, making great photo opportunities. Picked up three new species, and had my first chance to take quality photographs of the American Bald Eagle. Glad to see the species recover so well its returning to the area. 

Prothonotary Warbler Nikon D7000 ISO 720 600mm f/7.1 1/800 sec

Palm Warbler Nikon D7000 ISO 800 600mm f/7.1 1/800 sec

Female Red-Winged Blackbird ISO 800 600mm f/7.1 1/800 sec

Tree Swallow ISO 800 600mm f/7.1 1/800 sec

Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher Nikon D7000 ISO 450 600mm f/7.1 1/800 sec

Sora Nikon D7000 ISO 800 600mm f/8.0 1/1250 sec

Last, but not least. The Bald Eagle along the banks of the Little Miami River just outside Spring Valley, Ohio. Absolutely amazed to have this just 5 minutes from my house. 

American Bald Eagle Nikon D7000 600mm f/8.0 1/1250 sec

Grant Park - Great Horned Owl Part IV

What a surprise today. Remember that owlet - much to my amazement, there's not one but TWO owlets. The lighting was wonderful today, and very happy to grab some great photographs of the owlets and their watchful father. 

Two Owlets Nikon D7000 ISO 800 600mm f/10 1/640 sec

Male Great Horned Owl Nikon D7000 ISO 800 550mm f/10 1/640 sec

Male Great Horned Owl Nikon D7000 ISO 800 600mm f/10 1/640 sec

Clear Skies

First clear nights in weeks, getting to enjoy a beautiful crescent moon. Sorry, won't be staying up for the Lyriad Meteor Shower - too cold, too few meteors. 

Waxing Crescent Moon Nikon D7000 ISO 400 600mm f/11 1/250 sec 

Another Early Morning

The clouds disappeared last night and left us with blue sky and early morning sunshine. This means an early morning trip to Spring Valley Wildlife Area. Really enjoying the extra detail the fill flash adds to the birds photographs - very impressed with the Meike Speedlight MK910. Yes, I know it's a knock-off of the Nikon 910 (all the way down to the name). But at $130 and the same feature set, who can blame me. The Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher was at Spring Lakes Park.

Palm Warbler Nikon D7000 ISO 400 600mm F/6.3 1/500 sec

Palm Warbler Nikon D7000 ISO 800 600mm f/8.0 1/500 sec 

Yellow-Rumped Warbler Nikon D7000 ISO 320 600mm f/6.3 1/500 sec

Yellow-Rumped Warbler Nikon D7000 ISO 720 550mm f/8.0 1/500 sec

Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher Nikon D7000 ISO 720 600mm f/8.0 1/800 sec

Not So Bright but Early

After Saturday's successful visit to Spring Valley Wildlife Area, I decided to head out for a pre-work photo shoot. Lighting was a challenge, as there was heavy cloud coverage - with the sun poking out for just a minute. First for me was the opportunity to photograph a pair of Palm Warblers.

Palm Warbler Nikon D7000 ISO 800 600mm f/7.1 1/1250 sec

Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher Nikon D7000 ISO 800 600mm f/7.1 1/1250 sec

And a quick lunch time visit to Hills and Dales Park in Oakwood, Ohio.

Common Grackle Nikon D7000 ISO 800 600mm f/6.3 1/800 sec

Short But Sweet

A short but sweet visit to Spring Valley Wildlife Area. Stepping out of the car, I was greeted by a variety of song birds. Captured several great shots, and this portfolio piece - the Yellow-Rumped Warbler. 

Male Yellow-Rumped Warbler Nikon D7000 600mm ISO 800 f/8 1/1250 sec

Singing Yellow-Rumped Warbler Nikon D7000 ISO 800 600mm f/8 1/800 sec

White-Throated Sparrow Nikon D7000 ISO 800 550mm f/8.0 1/1250 sec

Banded Tree Swallow Nikon D7000 ISO 640 600mm f/8.0 1/1600

Great Horned Owl - Part II

Yesterday, had the chance to return to Grant Park and continue to photograph the Great Horned Owl. While we saw owlet movement in the nest, the female was not to be seen. The male however was keeping close watch - and who would want to mess with those claws.

Male Great Horned Owl Nikon D7000 ISO 200 600mm f/8.0 1/1000

'Great' Day at Grant Park

Getting advice from a local bird watcher paid off, with the chance to photograph a nesting pair of Great Horned Owls. While I didn't see the male, this female was guarding her young owlet in the nest.  

Female Great Horned Owl Nikon D7000 600mm f/8.0 1/640 sec.

Female Great Horned Owl Nikon D7000 600mm f/6.3 1/250 sec.

Black-and-White Warbler (and more) Day

Not an expert when it comes to birding, but apparently today I was the first person in the area to catch sight of a Black-and-White Warbler since last October. This example was bouncing around with a pair of Yellow-Rumped Warblers down by the river at Grant Park in Centerville, Ohio.

Black-and-White Warbler Nikon D7000 ISO 450 600mm f/8/0 1/640 sec.

Black-and-White Warbler Nikon D7000 ISO 400 600mm f/8.0 1/640 sec.

Black-and-White Warbler Nikon D7000 ISO 720 600mm f/8.0 1/640 sec.

And to wrap up the warbler action yesterday, we also saw a Yellow-rumped Warbler, Ruby-Crowned Kinglet and a Northern Parula - although my photos of them were not as nice.

Northern Parula Nikon D7000 ISO 400 600mm f/8.0 1/640 sec.

Ruby-Crowned Kinglet Nikon D7000 ISO 280 600mm f/8.0 1/640 sec.

Yellow-Rumped Warbler Nikon D7000 ISO 125 600mm f/8.0 1/640 sec.

Stepping out of the Warbler family, captured this proud example of a Brown-Headed Cowbird.

Brown-Headed Cowbird Nikon D7000 ISO 800 600mm f/8.0 1/640 sec.

Sharper at 500mm?

First notable image taken at 500mm with the Tamron 150-600mm. Reviews I've seen claim the Tamron is sharper at 500mm than 600mm. Hard to tell, because the lighting was really good, allowing me to step up to f/10 and be at ISO 500. Time will tell where this lens will best perform.

Chipping Sparrow Nikon D7000 ISO 500 500mm f/10 1/640 sec.

Muffin Man

Apparently the Muffin Man at the Blueberry Cafe in Bellbrook has been missing in action for the last three weeks. Had to break down and bake our own muffins from scratch. 

Chocolate Chocolate Chip iPhone 5

Chocolate Chocolate Chip iPhone 5